Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSurgical Pathology ProceduresCPT cpt-88334-intraoperative-pathology-consultation-additional-site
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 88334: Intraoperative Pathology Consultation, Additional Site

    Medicare pays $37 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88334 describes an intraoperative pathology consultation for an additional site, providing rapid cytologic evaluation (for example, touch or squash preparations) during surgery to give timely diagnostic and prognostic information that helps the surgeon decide whether to proceed further; service type: intraoperative pathology consultation with cytologic examination; typical site of service: operating room or other procedural/surgical setting where immediate tissue assessment is performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products, Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 88334 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 88334 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient undergoing a major oncologic abdominal procedure for a suspected metastatic colorectal carcinoma has multiple suspicious lesions identified intraoperatively. The surgeon requests rapid pathologic assessment after the first specimen to determine whether additional resection is required. The pathology team performs a frozen section and cytologic touch preparations on multiple additional sites. 88334 is reported for each additional site beyond the first rapid cytologic evaluation. The clinical workflow includes intraoperative communication between the operating surgeon and the pathologist (or pathologist's representative), collection of specimens from each site, preparation of touch or squash preps and/or frozen sections in the OR or adjacent pathology suite, rapid microscopic evaluation, and immediate verbal or documented consultation to guide the surgeon's intraoperative decision-making (for example, extent of resection, margin status, or need for additional sampling). Typical site of service is the operating room or procedure room during an operative procedure; service type is intraoperative pathology consultation/cytologic rapid evaluation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88329Pathology consultation during surgery; each specimen, single site — first intraoperative cytologic evaluation/frozen sectionOften billed for the first intraoperative site evaluation; 88334 is used for each additional site after the first
    88331Consultation during surgery; when performed by more complex intraoperative consultation techniques (frozen section, etc.) — technical/professional components as applicableUsed for intraoperative consultations involving frozen section services and may be billed in conjunction with site-specific touch preps depending on payer policies
    88312Pathology and surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, including frozen section, when reported separately (example code for frozen section processing)Related to specimen processing and frozen section examination performed intraoperatively prior to or along with 88334 evaluations
    88342Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, intraoperative consultation, when additional interpretation or special stains are performed (example related higher-level pathology services)May be reported for more extensive intraoperative pathology procedures that go beyond rapid cytologic touch preps
    88172Cytopathology, immediate evaluation, immediate cytologic evaluation of fine needle aspiration, including preparation and interpretationRelated cytologic rapid evaluations (though distinct procedure types), often used in preoperative or intraoperative aspiration contexts

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207R00000XInternal Medicine PhysicianA physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    208600000XSurgery PhysicianA general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of s…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    2279E1000XEducational Registered Respiratory TherapistThe focus of patient and family education activities is to promote knowledge of disease process, medical therapy, and self help. Respiratory therapis…
    291900000XMilitary Clinical Medical LaboratoryA Department of Defense (DoD) medical clinical reference laboratory not associated with a DoD Hospital or DoD Clinic. An example is the Armed Forces I…
    171WH0202XHome Modifications ContractorA contractor who makes modifications to homes to accommodate a health condition.

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C16.9Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified
    C18.9Malignant neoplasm of colon, unspecified
    C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
    C25.9Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C43.9Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified
    C44.319Basal cell carcinoma of skin of other parts of face
    C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid ProductsCigna2026-08-15
    Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per DaysCigna2026-08-15
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medicationsharvard pilgrim health care2026-08-11
    Pharmacologic Treatment of PsoriasisPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical AcneCigna2026-08-01
    Spevigo (spesolimab‑sbzo) for generalized pustular psoriasisUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Onychomycosis Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-08-01
    Spesolimab-sbzo (Spevigoblue cross blue shield - tennessee2026-07-31
    Home ultraviolet light therapy equipment for skin conditionsselect_health2026-07-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-88300-LEVEL-I-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-GROSS-EXAMINATION-ACCESSIONING

    CPT 88300: Surgical Pathology, Level I Gross Examination

    CPT-88302-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-II-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88302: Surgical Pathology, Level II Gross and Microscopic Exam

    CPT-88304-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-III-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC

    CPT 88304: Surgical Pathology, Level III Examination

    CPT-88305-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-IV-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88305: Surgical Pathology, Gross and Microscopic Examination, Level IV

    CPT-88307-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-V-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88307: Surgical Pathology Level V Examination

    CPT-88309-LEVEL-VI-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88309: Level VI Surgical Pathology Examination

    CPT-88311-DECALCIFICATION-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION

    CPT 88311: Decalcification Procedure for Tissue Specimens

    CPT-88312-SPECIAL-STAIN-MICROORGANISMS-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

    CPT 88312: Special Stain, Technical Component for Microorganisms

    CPT-88313-SPECIAL-STAIN-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

    CPT 88313: Technical Special Stain for Group II (e.g., iron, trichrome)

    CPT-88314-FROZEN-TISSUE-HISTOCHEMICAL-SPECIAL-STAIN

    CPT 88314: Frozen Tissue Histochemical Special Stain, Interpretation

    Showing 1–10 of 47

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.